When it comes down to choosing a kitchen tap, it seems like you have all the choice in the world, there are that many different styles it makes it almost impossible to choose a design you prefer. Over the past decade, the kitchen tap has evolved from a common necessity into a highly artistic feature of your kitchen and some with state of the art engineering.

The kitchen is the heart and soul of the everday home, and the kitchen sink area is the epicentre of the kitchen. More and more people are redesigning their homes so that it centres around the kitchen, some are even going to the extreme lengths of knocking down walls to create a more free open space, merging the kitchen, the dining room and living room into one open plan, and at this social hub of the home it would be ridiculous to say that you wouldn’t want the nicest features in a room where you spend most of your time.

At a quick glance, the hottest trends in recent months include the rise of modern and minimalistic designs and taps that wouldn’t look out of place in the kitchens of the most professional of restaurants. Furthermore, as with nearly everything at the minute, there is a renewed interest in classic and retro designs making the array of choices even more baffling. Kitchen taps that are available today have a higher functionality, better originality in terms of shape and a greater assortment of finishes that were never available before.

Struggling to decide on which of the latest kitchen tap trends to follow? Flow are going to outline in greater detail why each of these designs are currently at the forefront of kitchen aesthetics.

Contemporary

At current, minimalism is the latest design characteristic to steal the limelight with so many people. Minimalism is another term meaning simple. Minimalistic and contemporary kitchen tap designs are all about simple lines, a polished look and an assortment of chrome and steel finishes. Contemporary Kitchen taps accentuate functional design and commodious placement of controls, not forgetting that the smooth and sleek finishes of these designs make them easier to clean and keep hygienic. This Franke Davos Silksteel J Tap is a perfect example of this fashionable trend.

Industrial Designs

That’s correct, these designs are more commonly found in the kitchens of some of your favourite restaurants, however, some keen home chefs decided to implement this kitchen tap design into their home, and the proverbial snowball has never stopped rolling. Many have accustomed themselves to this professional kitchen tap design because not only does it scream functionality, it can also fit in well with other kitchen features, for example, because these tap designs are quite tall, they help to balance the aesthetics of some of the more expansive kitchens. The versatility of this particular tap design is beyond comparison, it aids cleaning and essentially helps you reach places that you were previously unable to, for example allowing you to reach more than one basin if you have a multi-basined kitchen sink. Flow feature the Rangemaster Pro Spray Chrome Tap (seen above) which is right up your street if you like these tap designs.

Nothing Beats The Classics

From clothing to kitchen sinks, over recent years, retro and classic designs have become some of the most sought after trends going and for good reason too, because it’s true what they say ‘Nothing beats the classics!’ Vintage style wall mounts have become one of the most stylish designs over recent years, some say it is because they harken back to a time when life was simpler. Although the designs are old-fashioned, there is nothing archaic about the functionality of these beauties, these latest classic designs are traditional yet with contemporary convenience. Best of both worlds! The Rangemaster Swan Neck Bridge Mixer Tap available at Flow is a great example of how elegant these designs can look.

It’s Cool To Be Square

The kitchen taps that are seen to be the most cutting edge of late are those of a geometrical design. (In normal English that means squares and right angles.) Yes that’s correct, right-angled taps are the latest infatuation to hit the kitchen sink and tap design world. These unique tap designs personify individuality and will only add more to the your already modern kitchen aesthetics. This Franke Ticino Chrome Tap is very popular at Flow Kitchen Sinks and Taps.

Everybody has had a blocked kitchen sink in their lifetime, and a blocked sink seems to be one of the hardest problems within a household to resolve. Below a kitchen sink is a complicated network of bendy pipes, which makes it very easy to block, especially when little morsels of food fall down the drain and can gather up to form a blockage. And obviously you can’t simply stick your hands down the drain as the pipes are too thin, so therefore Flow Kitchen Sinks and Taps are going to highlight the three effective ways to effortlessly unblock a kitchen sink.

Method 1: Plunger

Invented in 1777, the plunger was invented as a flushing device for using the toilet, and this was done by the mechanics of the plunger creating a small vacuum which blasts pressure in the direction that you plunge. Nowadays it is used as a device to unblock things and this is no different for kitchen sinks.

Firstly, you must fill you sink halfway with hot water, and then place the plunger over the sink hole. if you have a double sink, then stuff a washcloth into the unclogged drain to ensure that the plunger’s pressure is focused on the clog. Start working the plunger up and down quickly creating airtight suction down the drain, after 60 seconds of plunging lift the plunger to see if the hot water starts to drain, if not… repeat the process.

Method 2: Vinegar and Baking Soda Mixture

Saftey is key with this method so make sure you wear a pair of rubber gloves before starting. Make sure the kitchen sink is free from any standing water, and then force one cup of baking soda down the drain holes, it probably want all go down by itself so use a spatula or a spoon to push it over the sink hole. Once all the baking soda has gone into the sink hole, pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and place the plug over the sink hole so that the vinegar is forced towards the blockage. Leave the mixture to do its work for around 5 minutes then remove the plug and flush down with boiling water, this method will normally remove most blockages but if it doesn’t work first time, it may need a second cycle so try this process again.

Method 3: Repurpose a Metal Wire Hanger

If you think about it, there aren’t many object lying around your home that can fit down the drain of your kitchen sink and unblock it, but if you have some metal wire clothes hangers lying around then you are in luck. A metal wire coat hanger is very easy to bend, so bend the hanger into a straight line with a slightly hooked end so that you can pull as well as push with the hangover. The wire can be used to snake down the drain to pull any objects up out of the train or push them through. (A very common technique used in many homes.)

So if you happen to have a blocked kitchen sink in the near future, don’t panic, stop and think of what you have read today and your problem will be rectified in no time at all.

The Kitchen Sink is used for a lot more than to merely wash dishes, pots and pans. Don’t forget that you use your kitchen sink to clean and wash food, wash your hands, and more importantly it is a source of drinking water for you and your family, therefore it is imperative that your kitchen sink is kept spotless and free from any bacteria or germs.

Your kitchen sink should be one of the cleanest surfaces in your home, and unfortunately for most, a simple rinse of water is considered an ample method of cleaning, however this does not kill and germs or bacteria whatsoever, no matter how many times you rinse your sink with water.

The common route to keeping your kitchen sink clean and hygeinic would be through the use of chemicals and cleaners, but these can be harmful not only to yourself but also can be a danger to any younger members of the family that you have wandering around the kitchen.

This post is a step-by-step guide on how to keep your kitchen sink hygeinic and free from bacteria on a daily basis through the use of natural ingredients.

Check list of what you will need:

Liquid Dishwashing Soap

White Vinegar

Baking Soda

A Toothbrush

An Old Rag

A Soft Sponge

Lemons

Step One: For regular daily cleaning, you can use a mild soap and a soft sponge or rag can be used to wipe down the sink and keep it clean. However, if you have a stainless steel kitchen sink you must avoid soaps containing ammonia, bleach or any abrasive cleaners as these will damage the stainless steel finish. After cleaning, rinse and wipe the sink dry with a dry towel or rag.

Step Two: It is vitally important to rinse out your sink after every use. Plenty of foods contain a lot of acids and salts that can potentially damage the finish of a stainless steel sink, so ensure to rinse after usage to avoid pitting.

Step Three: To clean the seal on the surrounding edges of the sink that can store very tricky and hard to reach stains, a toothbrush is a good tool for cleaning this section of the sink. By mixing baking soda with a little bit of water, it will form a paste that when applied to the brissles of the toothbrush results in these types of stains becoming effortless to remove, but make sure that you rinse and dry well after using the baking soda paste, because if this mixture left on a surface for too long it can cause some damage.

Step Four: White vinegar is a very good natural ingredient to kill everyday bacteria and germs whilst at the same time being able to remove some extremely stubborn stains from the surface of your sink. Therefore, line the entire surface of the sink with kitchen towels and saturate with white vinegar and leave these to do their job for around 20 minutes, then merely throw away the paper towels and rinse the sink thoroughly with soap and water. (Spik and Span!!)

Step Five: Often smells can emanate from areas that cannot be reached easily such as the drain. To combat this very common problem, place a few lemon slices over the sink hole and pour boiling water over the lemons, this will extract both the citric acid and the juices from the lemon which then flow down the drain removing any bad odours and replacing them with a fresh and zingy citrus aroma.

As long as you follow these five easy steps, your kitchen sink will be free from any bacteria or germs and will be one of, if not the cleanest surface in your home.

Not only is this common kitchen sound effect very annoying, it is wasting a notable amount of money at the same time, because all the water that comes from your taps is added onto your monthly water bill. So Flow are writing this post on ‘How To Fix A Leaky Tap’ not only to give your ears a rest but to save noticeable amounts of money off your water bill.

Believe it or not, repairing a dripping tap is generally a simple task to do and a you don’t always have to call in a plumber to fix it for you. The particular methods used to fix a leaking tap does depend on which design of tap you have, whether it is a pillar tap, mixer tap or monobloc tap, there is a collection of core methods that can be used to repair this common problem.

It Could Be A Faulty Washer Plate

More often than not, the catalyst behind a common leaking kitchen tap is due to the washer inside the tap being worn down or defective, if this is the case, the washer will need to be changed to rectify your problem. This can be done very easily as long as you follow some simple steps:

1. Firstly you must ensure that you have turned off your water supply. This is done by finding the stopcock valves located by your boiler which is usually in your airing cupboard or basement, turn these stopcock valves clockwise until they stop (but ensure not to apply too much pressure as you don’t want these valves to snap as this would turn your minor problem into a major one.)

2. Once the water supply has been switched off it is now time to unassemble your tap so we can get inside. However, before any unscrewing starts, always ensure that you plug the drain at the bottom of the basin as the last thing you will want is to lose an important screw or two. Once you have done this, you can now unscrew the nut in the tap, but ensure that whilst unscrewing that you hold onto the spout of the tap, otherwise too much pressure could result in a cracked basin or pipe leak.

3. Once you have removed the valve you can examine the washer of your kitchen tap. If you are unaware what a washer is, a washer is a thin rubber plate with a hole that is normally used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a screw or nut. In a tap, a washer is used to stop the flow of water. Dependant on the design and brand of your kitchen tap, the size and diameter of the washer inside will differ, but below is a picture of a common kitchen tap washer.

Common things to look out for when examining your washer is to identify whether it looks used or squashed; if this is the case, your washer will need changing. Since washers are very cheap it is worth replacing it even if it looks fine.

4. Once you have successfully replaced the washer within your kitchen tap, you then need to tighten the nuts that you have removed.

Examining The Valve Seat Of Your Kitchen Sink

More often than not, your leaking tap problem will now be fixed after following these steps, but if your kitchen tap still persists to leak then the whole tap mount will need to be reseated as general wear and tear has resulted in your valve seat to become worn.

The valve seat is shown within this standard drawing of a tap shown above. If you have replaced the washer and it is now necessary to examine the valve seat for any faults, you need to realise that the valve seat should be shiny, smooth and free from scratches. Scratches are caused by little bits of lime scale that get trapped between the washer and the seat and grind away at it. If the valve seat is damaged it needs to be reground which is not a difficult job.

If you follow these steps correctly then your persistent leaky tap issue should now be rectified.

Along with other popular sink materials such as Stainless Steel and Ceramic, Granite Composite is another front runner as a kitchen sink material.

Granite sinks can come in two different varieties, the first, solid stone granite sinks. These are carved out of a solid piece of granite or assembled using individual blocks of granite. The second, composite granite sinks, are put together using a combination of materials. The materials in a granite composite sink are 70% natural granite and 30% acrylic compounds. However, you must bear in mind that composite granite sinks are only available in matt finishes therefore you can not get a granite sink with a shiny or polished finish.

Within this blog post, Flow are going to answer the questions and doubts that you have in your mind about opting for a granite kitchen sink over alternatives.

The benefits of a granite sink are clear to see. Firstly granite kitchen sinks are virtually damage proof, granite is one of the hardest materials known to man so therefore these sinks are not easily damaged. Granite composite sinks also resist damage from strong cleaners and detergents that usually stain sinks.

Furthermore, along with damage proof, granite as a material has been known to withstand the highest of temparatures. Composite granite sinks will resist heat up to 279 degrees Celsius without burning or melting. When exposed to high heat, composite granite sinks will not lose colour. You can transfer a pot or pan directly from the stove to the sink without worry.

However, on the flip side, there are a few downfalls that need to be considered. As mentioned earlier the versatility of a granite sink is not the best. You tend to have limited style options due to the manufacturing process of the kitchen sink. If you prefer a shinier look to your sink, you should opt for a solid granite sink rather than a composite granite sink

Also, due to granite being very tough and hard, if by chance you accidentally drop a glass or a chine plate onto the bare sink will shatter from the impact. (But if you aren’t clumsy this should’t be a problem!)

Everything single thing in this world has its downfalls, nothing is absolutely spot on perfect, but it is its benefits and plus points that make something stand out and worth the investment. Flow think you would agree when they say that the benefits of a granite sink completely outweight the downfalls.

When you are redecorating your kitchen or even just replacing your kitchen sink, you know it is going to be with you for a very long time, therefore you must ensure that you make the correct decision on which kitchen sink you want as the heart and soul of your kitchen. Questions including: How big do I want my kitchen sink?

Don’t worry, this question is asked by thousands of people renovating their kitchens and truthfully, Flow believe that it is the most important question to answer and get right.

There are endless amounts of factors that you need to take into account when you are choosing the design and material of your kitchen sink. Firstly, you need to think about your current style of kitchen or if you are renovating the whole kitchen, then think of the new style you are getting. Is it contemporary? Traditional? Rustic? Because let’s face it, the style and material of your kitchen sink needs to blend and fit well with its surrounding, take this for an example, a flashy modern brushed stainless steel undermount sink is going to stand out like a sore thumb if you place it in a traditional styled kitchen.

Secondly, you have to think of what are the main purposes you are using your kitchen sink for? Will you merely be rinsing some plates and bowls in there? Or will you be scrubbing away for hours on some heavy cast iron skillets that could easily damage your sink if it is made of the wrong material for this type of usage.

Two of the fundamental kitchen sink styles that are commonly used today are stainless steel and ceramic kitchen sinks. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and are both very different not only in appearance but in practicality also. Therefore Flow are going to outline the pros and cons of these two sink styles so that you can evaluate which material is best for you and your kitchen.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Benefits:

- Durability. Not only does a stainless steel sink stay attractive for many, many years, the tough steel surface will not become marred or chipped at heavy impact and heat and cold exposure does not cause any damage whatsoever. The giveaway is in the name but stainless steel will not stain or rust.

- Affordability. If you are deliberating between a few different material types, bear in mind that stainless steal will be the inexpensive option if you are on a tight budget.

- Easily Maintainable. Uncleanliness and bad hygeine are not a problem when you have a stainless steel sink as they are very easy to clean as the stainless steel surface does not harbour bacteria therefore stains are not left behind.

- Versatility. Apart from very traditional kitchen styles, stainless steel fits in well with virtually any kitchen style. Also, it is very easy to shape stainless steel into a customized space.

Benefits of Ceramic Kitchen Sinks:

- Heat Resistant. Ceramic kitchen sinks are heat resistant, therefore piping hot oven dishes can be placed on the ceramic surface without worrying about safety and damage of the sink.

- Durable. Just like stainless steel, ceramic sinks are extremely durable and can withstand the rigors of regular use and time.

- Versatile. Ceramic sink design has improved greatly in recent decades. They can be simple and plain, or they can be sculpted or hand painted to create a unique style that will blend well in your kitchen.

- Size. Ceramic sink design has improved greatly. They can be simple and plain, or they can be sculpted or hand painted to create a unique style that will blend well in your kitchen.

However, both of these sinks aren’t perfect and do hold some disadvantages.

Disadvantages of a Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink:

- Very Noisy. Because the stainless steel material is so thin, you may notice increased noise as you use the sink from objects bumping up against the sink surfaces. This may not be the case with higher quality stainless steel, as they may have an additional layer over the stainless steel that eliminates some of the vibrations and therefore the noise.

- Scratching. Yes, stainless steel is very durable and resistant to stains however it can easily be scratched. With continued use, you may notice fine scratches appear on a stainless steel sink. Although these scratches should not damage the surface in an extreme way, you will probably notice them.

With the facts about stainless steel sinks, you can decide whether this sink material fits your kitchen needs. Thanks to advances in stainless steel technology, the options and designs available in stainless steel have come a long way.

Downfalls of Ceramic Kitchen Sinks:

- Needs to be treated with care. That’s right, just like a new pet or a new born baby, your new ceramic sink needs to be treated with care. You need to keep it clean and not leave dirty, stagnant water in it for too long as over time this will damage the surface. With the surface damaged, your sink will then become more prone to chips and scratches.

When it comes to kitchen sink accessories, the waste disposal unit is the top dog. This spectacularly innovative device provides plenty of benefits to your everyday waste disposal needs.

Are you left constantly scraping excess food and waste into bins? Little do you know but this is costing you a lot of money that you don’t need to spend.

The purpose of a waste disposal unit is by the use of an electrical motor, the unit blends up any excess food, usually into a very fine slurry or into pieces around 2 millimetres in size so that once washed down with water it can easily flow through your plumbing system without getting blocked; these units are especially beneficial to those of you who have thin and bendy pipes beneath your kitchen sink.

Waste disposal units are designed to churn up only organic waste; waste that has not been man-made. So this can include: fruits, vegetables, meat cut-offs, eggshells and even fish bones.

Seeking an opportunity to enhance their sinks, high-end brands including Franke sinks and Leisure sinks have astutely designed their own waste disposal units that are designed to add value to their sinks by being attached underneath. We are going to compare their unique designs against each other to discover who has hit the nail on the head.

The waste disposal units designed by Franke (Left) are reliable appliances that are sure to offer your household many, many years of trouble free use. Franke have designed four separate waste disposal units, said to be designed to relieve your kitchen of any unsightly and unhygeinic household waste. The Franke waste disposal unit designs are implemented with a unique magnetic motor, allowing it to reach its optimum speed in a split second. A Franke Turbo Waste Disposal Unit produces more torque per kilo than any other waste disposal unit.

On the flip side, there are the Leisure range of waste disposal units (Right), that are clean, hygeinic and extremely easy to use. One of the fundamental downfalls of purchasing a waste disposal unit is that eventually the blades will corrode, however this is not the case for the Leisure range, all Leisure waste disposal units have a lifetime corrosion guarantee and are integrated with their unique hygeine system known as Bio Shield. Bio Shield is an antibacterial agent that is moulded inside the unit to protect against odours and bacteria growth. The Leisure range can be effortlessly installed and does come in four different sizes depending on your particular usage needs.

So when it comes down to it we must decide whether we would prefer a waste disposal unit that is more powerful allowing you to dispose of waste quicker and more efficiently with the Franke Turbo Range or to prefer a waste disposal unit that isn’t as powerful but offers other benefits with its hygeinic aspects and lifetime guarantees?

After a lot of thought, we simply cannot choose between them, they both offer features that create benefits in every kitchen, so which ever brand or model you choose Flow promise that you will not be disappointed.

What is the heart and soul of your kitchen? It’s not your oven, its not your surfaces or your hobs…. it’s your kitchen sink.

What cleans up all the mess after you have completed your tasks and activities in the kitchen? A kitchen simply wouldn’t coordinate properly without a kitchen sink. This is why Flow believes that you should look after your kitchen sink and treat it with respect because at the end of the day, it cleans up your mess.

Every customer who buys a product from Flow take pride in the appearance and practicality of their kitchen sinks, as we only feature highly quality and attractive products.

Once you’ve found that perfect sink and tap combination that will not only add aesthetic benefits but will also provide functionality to your kitchen, you can then decide the go that extra mile and add sink and tap accessories.

The addition of accessories to a kitchen sink area is what seperates a great kitchen sink from a brilliant one. Accessories are not only their to look good and fill up space in your kitchen, they are there for a purpose; to add practicality and to make your life easier.

Many sink manufacturers including Franke, Rangemaster, Flow and Leisure are now providing a range of matching kitchen sink accessories to complement their sink designs. Flow are proud to feature a huge range of kitchen sink accessories under these big name brands.

Within our range of accessories we offer a variety of waste improvement systems, that are designed to catch any particles of food or waste so that it doesn’t clog up the pipework below.

There are numerous dish drainer trays, racks and baskets that can fit in the sink bowl to clear space on the work-tops so that there is minimal excess water on the surfaces.

To aid with the preperation of food there are a number of glass and wooden chopping boards that provide extra food preperation areas.

And the pièce de résistance of kitchen sink and tap accessories are the waste disposal units and waste sorters. These innovative devices have been designed so that you can reduce your household waste which will lead to increased savings. The waste disposal units churn up any excess food or waste into a fine slurry which can then be deposited safely and efficiently.

Selecting the correct accessory can help you to protect and enhance the use of your kitchen sink.

Are you a business in the home improvement marketplace and tired of paying ridiculous prices for Kitchen Sinks and Taps everyday for your clients?

Flow Kitchen Sinks and Taps have the solution for you.

Why not set up a Trade Account with Flow. Flow offers a great service to all of our customers being on hand for any needs or requirements.

We have a colossal range of wholesale kitchen sinks, taps and accessories, not only from our own brand collection, but also trade sinks, taps and accessories from market-leading brands including Franke, Rangemaster and Leisure.

One thing you can be certain of when purchasing products from Flow, is a high standard assurance, the provision of the highest quality kitchen sinks, taps and accessories at a great price from the best named brands on the market today!

By creating a Trade Account here at Flow, you will make some great savings as we offer bulk discounts for our online trade customers. Its as if we aren’t offering great prices already!

You can count on Flow to deliver your purchase quickly and efficiently from the moment of your purchase, as we know that time in this industry can be the dealmaker or the dealbreaker.

It sounds too good to be true! Where else can you recieve great bulk discounts for registering a Trade Account for no expense at all?

Register for a Trade Account now and enquire about our volume discount prices!

The most popular type of kitchen sink used today is known as the inset kitchen sink. There is no mystery when it comes to inset kitchen sinks, it does exactly what it says on the tin; the sink is inset into the kitchen worktop and is clamped into place from underneath (leaving no abnormalities on your worktop).

The inset sink was originally designed so that it wouldn’t atmper with the aesthetics and flow of the kitchen worktop. Inset sinks can be fitted a lot more effortlessly than undermount sinks, not forgetting that they are a lot easier to make waterproof too.

Inset kitchen sinks are the easiest type of sink to install and are a good option for a no-fuss replacement. Because the rim of the sink forms a seal with the counter, inset sinks are not as difficult to waterproof as undermount sinks. Inset sinks can be manufactured from a variety of materials, there are lighter inset kitchen sinks that can be made from stainless steel and other metal composites, and there are heavier and more dense inset sinks that are made from granite and sometimes cast iron. Usually for the lighter sinks, they need to be held to the kitchen worktop surface via clamps and screws, whereas the the heavier inset sinks can stay in place just by their weight alone!

Flow Kitchen Sinks and Taps are very honoured to headline a whole classification focusing on Inset kitchen sinks, not only including sinks from their own range, but also from ranges from the likes of Rangemaster, Franke and Leisure; three of the leading brands and engineers in the kitchen sink market today.

Below we are going to compare two different models of Franke Inset Kitchen Sinks that are priced a little higher due to their creative designs and designer brand label.

Firstly, we introduce the Franke Planar PPX 651. This particular inset sink has a minimalist, contemporary looking design which will provide added character to your kitchen. This kitchen sink has been designed with two bowls and a side drainage area, extremely practical for when you’re preparing food, washing and drying dishes. The Franke Planar is fitted with basket strainers in both bowls to catch an excess food when draining, additionally this particular sink can be fitted with a Franke waste disposal unit; adding more and more quality and practicality to your kitchen sink. This high quality sink comes at a reasonable price, giving your kitchen a quality looking finish.

In comparison to the Franke Planar PPX 651, we recommend the Franke Mythos MTG 651. Whereas the Franke Planar had a brushed stainless steel finish, the Franke Mythos is made from their exclusive Fragranite material. Franke’s fragranite sinks really are made from pure granite, which has been ground up into very fine pieces which makes them extremely difficult to scratch and can withstand temperatures up to 230 degrees Celsius. The Franke Mythos Inset Kitchen Sink has been designed with a geometric format offering the unique combination of a large bowl with modern styling. Incorporating design features such as slide and glide glass food preparation platter helps take this inset kitchen sink beyond its title from a kitchen sink and brings so much more to the table.